The book, which already shipped to some locations, contained some graphic imagery that made its creators say "yikes," tweeted artist Chris Burnham.

DC Comics has asked retailers to delay the sale of the next issue of Batman, Incorporated for a month, out of respect to the victims of the movie theater mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado.

The publisher sent the request via email to comic shops and other stores, while artist Chris Burnham gave a public explanation for the hold up on his Twitter account.

"Batman Inc #3 is going to be delayed a month due to some grim imagery that would seem wholly inappropriate given the Aurora killings," Burnham wrote. "The book printed on time. I'm looking at a copy on my desk right now. This isn't a scheduling excuse, we're trying to do the right thing... It's not just a Batman comic with guns in it. There's a specific scene that made DC & the whole Bat-team say 'Yikes.' Too close for comfort."